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Downtown heritage plan hits some bumps By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF More information. Less uncertainty. That's what many critics of the Town's Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District Study had to say last week at a public information meeting at St. John's United Church. About 90 stakeholders attended to hear the preliminary results of an examination into whether part of downtown Oakville should be made a heritage conservation district. The study, as part of the Strategic Action Plan for Downtown Oakville, is focused on an area loosely bounded by Navy Street to the west, Dunn Street to the east, Robinson Street to the south and just north of Randall Street to the north. In its report, the consulting team, which includes MHBC Planning, Megan Hobson Research and George Robb Architect, stated, "The proposed boundary appropriately contains a majority of properties of cultural heritage value, whether buildings, structures and streetscapes, that, together, provide a rationale for the designation of this area as a heritage conservation district under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act." There has been no decision by council to create a Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District -- this study is just looking at the possibility of creating one. The study found, within the proposed district, there are 59 inventoried properties or parcels of land and 81 buildings or structures with street addresses. Of the 59 properties, 75 per cent are of cultural heritage value -- and 79 per cent of the 81 buildings or structures are, as well. 3 · Thursday, May 3, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com "Right now, you have individually-designated properties covered by a permit process. If there was a district created, properties within that district would be covered by a set of guidelines." Scott Hannah, senior manager Current Planning and Heritage Town of Oakville Town Council would have to give the go ahead at a June 11 meeting. The surrounding area already has three heritage districts -- the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District, the Trafalgar Road Heritage Conservation District, and the First and Second Street Heritage Conservation District. "Within those districts there are individuallydesignated properties, but the entire district is OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTO covered by (an Ontario Heritage Act) Part V designation," said Scott Hannah, the Town's senior manager of Current Planning and Heritage, in a previous interview. "So you may have a contemporary property within that district and if you are putting an addition on it, you would still require a permit, which is there to ensure the character of the area is maintained. This would be no different in the downtown core. Right now, you have individually-designated properties covered by a permit process. If there was a district created, properties within that district would be covered by a set of guidelines." The prospect of a heritage district coming to downtown Oakville did not sit well with many at the meeting. David Faye, of David Faye & Associates Land Management Group, asked how the creation of the district would benefit the downtown business community. "The business owners I met with today are asking, `How will a heritage conservation district contribute to a more vibrant downtown?' See Downtown page 10 looking forward: The clock in Towne Square in downtown Oakville where the Town of Oakville is looking at a potential heritage designation. The consultant reported there is merit in moving to the next stage of the study -- preparation of a heritage conservation district plan outline guidelines on how the district's character and attributes would be managed. Inside Opinion............................................6 Health.............................................28 Travel..............................................29 Sports.............................................31 Classified........................................36 Full Delivery: Ashley Furniture, Pharma, Guardian, Freshco, Food Basics, Metro, Critelli's Fine Furniture, Oakville Swim Academy, Synergy Contracting, Cynthia's Chinese, M&M Meats, Active Green & Ross, Real Estate Ontario Inc., Maytag Store, Golf Guide, Bluestone Project, JYSK, 2001 Audio, The Bay, City Parent, Sobeys, Solutions, Payless Shoes, Best Buy, Bank of Montreal, Biobest, Centennial Windows, Future Shop, Home Outfitters, Hohl & Frisch, Mark's Work Wearhouse, Part Source, Pharma Save, Pet Valu, Red Plum Shoppers Drug Mart, Staples, Toys R Us, Walmart, Zellers, Fortinos, No Frills Superstore, Canadian Tire, Sears For home delivery & customer service call (905) 845-9742 Mon., Tues. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Thu., and Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (open for calls only after 5 p.m.) Closed Sat. and Sun. New subscriptions call (905) 845-9742 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com TKR352 TKR352 MTO APPROVED BEGINNER DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE PROVIDER ISO 9001:2008 Registered